Determining a current location of a data storage system

ABSTRACT

A method and system for use in determining a current location of a data storage system is disclosed. A current location of a mobile portable device is determined in response to the device being positioned local to the data storage system. The mobile portable device comprises a position determining module for determining the current location of the device. The determined current location of the device is associated with the data storage system local thereto. The determined current location is stored in connection with the data storage system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to determining a current location of a datastorage system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer systems may include different resources used by one or morehost processors. Resources and host processors in a computer system maybe interconnected by one or more communication connections. Theseresources may include, for example, data storage devices such as thoseincluded in the data storage systems manufactured by EMC Corporation.These data storage systems may be coupled to one or more servers or hostprocessors and provide storage services to each host processor. Multipledata storage systems from one or more different vendors may be connectedand may provide common data storage for one or more host processors in acomputer system.

A host processor may perform a variety of data processing tasks andoperations using the data storage system. For example, a host processormay perform basic system I/O operations in connection with datarequests, such as data read and write operations.

Host processor systems may store and retrieve data using a storagedevice containing a plurality of host interface units, disk drives, anddisk interface units. The host systems access the storage device througha plurality of channels provided therewith. Host systems provide dataand access control information through the channels to the storagedevice and the storage device provides data to the host systems alsothrough the channels. The host systems do not address the disk drives ofthe storage device directly, but rather, access what appears to the hostsystems as a plurality of logical disk units. The logical disk units mayor may not correspond to the actual disk drives. Allowing multiple hostsystems to access the single storage device unit allows the host systemsto share data in the device. In order to facilitate sharing of the dataon the device, additional software on the data storage systems may alsobe used. In a common implementation, a Storage Area Network (SAN) isused to connect computing devices with a large number of storagedevices. Management and modeling programs may be used to manage thesecomplex computing environments, which may be, include, or be included ina data center.

A data center refers to processing functionality for performing one ormore prescribed processing tasks. In one common application, forexample, a provider may use a data center to implement any kind ofnetwork-accessible service (such as an Email service, search service,and so on). In some cases, the provider may use a specially designedcomputer room within a general purpose facility to implement the datacenter. For a particularly large-scale service, the provider may devoteone or more separate facilities to implement the data center.

It will be appreciated that in recent time such data centers have grownsubstantially in size. It will be known that such modern data centersmay comprise a plurality of data center equipment such as data storagesystems. For example, the data center may comprise hundreds or thousandsof discrete data storage systems. This may require the data center toprovide substantial administrative resources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system for use in determining a current location of a datastorage system is disclosed. A current location of a mobile portabledevice is determined in response to the device being positioned local tothe data storage system. The mobile portable device comprises a positiondetermining module for determining the current location of the device.The determined current location of the device is associated with thedata storage system local thereto. The determined current location isstored in connection with the data storage system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a data center that may be used with thetechnique described herein;

FIG. 2 is a block diagrams of an example device and system that may beused with the technique described herein;

FIG. 3A is a perspective diagram of a front of the example device ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a perspective diagram of a backside of the example device ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing steps that may be performed in anembodiment in accordance with techniques described herein;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing steps that may be performed in anembodiment in accordance with techniques described herein; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of a display of the example device of FIG. 2that may be used with the technique described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess, an apparatus, a system, a computer program embodied on acomputer readable storage medium, and/or a processor, such as aprocessor configured to execute instructions stored on and/or providedby a memory coupled to the processor. In this specification, theimplementations, or any other form that the invention may take, may bereferred to as techniques. In general, the order of the steps ofdisclosed processes may be altered within the scope of the invention.Unless stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or a memorydescribed as being configured to perform a task may be implemented as ageneral component that is temporarily configured to perform the task ata given time or a specific component that is manufactured to perform thetask. As used herein, the term ‘processor’ refers to one or moredevices, circuits, and/or processing cores configured to process data,such as computer program instructions.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to anyembodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims andthe invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications andequivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the followingdescription in order to provide a thorough understanding of theinvention. These details are provided for the purpose of example and theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

Described below are techniques for use in determining a current locationof a data storage system. The techniques may allow a user to make use ofthe global positioning system (hereinafter “GPS”) functionality within amobile device to associate the current location with a storage system.This technique may not require the user to manually determine and recordthe information in relation to the location of the data storage system.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example of an embodiment ofa computer system that may be used in connection with performing thetechnique described herein. A data center 1100 may include zones 1110,1120, 1130, 1140, and 1150 with each zone representing a grouping ofstorage component and/or a different type of data storage or processing.For example, the zone 1150 may represent data processing or servers forvirtual machines and the zone 1110 may represent data storage systems.

As described below in more detail, in accordance with the techniquedescribed herein, a user 1145 may use a portable computing device 1135having a camera and a display to capture images in connection with datastorage systems 1155 located in the data center 1100. The image inconnection with at least a portion of one data storage system maycomprise a still or video image comprising an optical code 1125 for usein optical code processing as described herein. The device 1135 mayinclude a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digitalbroadcast terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), a navigation system and/or the like. Thetechnique described herein may also be applicable to other apparatus,such a stationary terminal as a digital TV, a desktop computer and/orthe like.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a block diagram of the device1135 according to one example embodiment. It will be appreciated thatother embodiments, arrangements and configurations may also be provided.The device 1135 may include a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V(audio/video) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140,an output unit 150 having a display 151, a memory 160, an interface unit170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190, a locking set-up unit195 and the like. The figure illustrates the device 1135 having variouscomponents, although all the illustrated components may not be arequirement. It will be appreciated that greater or fewer components mayalternatively be implemented.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more componentsthat permit wireless communication between the device 1135 and awireless communication system or network within which device 1135 islocated. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include abroadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, awireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, aposition determining module 115 and/or the like. The broadcast receivingmodule 111 may receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associatedinformation from an external broadcast managing server via a broadcastchannel, and the broadcast signal and/or broadcast associatedinformation received by the broadcast receiving module 111 may be storedin a suitable device, such as the memory 160. The mobile communicationmodule 112 may transmit/receive wireless signals to/from one or morenetwork entities (e.g., base station, external terminal, server, etc.).The wireless Internet module 113 may support Internet access for thedevice 1135. This module may be internally or externally coupled to thedevice 1135. In this case, the wireless Internet technology can includeWLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (WorldInteroperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed DownlinkPacket Access), etc. The short-range communication module 114 mayfacilitate relatively short-range communications. Suitable technologiesfor implementing this module include radio frequency identification(RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), as wellas the networking technologies commonly referred to as Bluetooth andZigBee, to name a few. The position determining module 115 may identifyor otherwise obtain the location or position of the device 1135. Thismodule may be a GPS module.

The audio/video (A/V) input unit 120 may provide audio or video signalinputs to the device 1135. The A/V input unit 120 may include a camera121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 may receive and process imageframes of still pictures or videos that are obtained by an image sensorin a video call mode or a photograph mode. The processed image framesmay be displayed on the display 151. The image frames processed by thecamera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or may be externallytransmitted via the wireless communication unit 110. It will beappreciated that two or more cameras 121 may be provided to the device1135 based on environment of usage. The microphone 122 may receive anexternal audio signal while the device 1135 is in a particular mode,such as phone call mode, a recording mode and/or a voice recognitionmode. The audio signal may be processed and converted into electricaudio data. The processed audio data may be transformed into a formattransmittable to a mobile communication base station via the mobilecommunication module 112 in case of a call mode. The microphone 122 mayinclude noise removing algorithms (or noise canceling algorithms) toremove or reduce noise generated in the course of receiving the externalaudio signal.

The user input unit 130 may generate input data responsive to usermanipulation of an associated input device or devices. For example, thedevice may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., staticpressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may provide sensing signals for controllingoperations of the device 1135 using status measurements of variousaspects of the device 1135. For example, the sensing unit 140 may detectan open/close status of the device 1135, relative positioning ofcomponents (e.g., a display and a keypad) of the device 1135, a positionchange of the device 1135 or a component of the device 1135, a presenceor an absence of user contact with the device 1135, orientation oracceleration/deceleration of the device 1135. For example, the device1135 may be configured as a slide-type mobile terminal. The sensing unit140 may sense whether a sliding portion of the device 1135 is open orclosed. Other such examples may include the sensing unit 140 sensingpresence or absence of power provided by the power supply 190, presenceor absence of a coupling or other connection between the interface unit170 and an external device. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximitysensor 141 and a touch sensor 142.

The output unit 150 may generate outputs perceptible to the senses suchas sight, hearing, touch and the like. The output unit 150 may includethe display 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm 153 and a hapticmodule 154. The display 151 may visually display (i.e., output)information associated with the device 1135. For example, if the device1135 is operated in a phone call mode, the display 151 may provide auser interface (UI) or a graphical user interface (GUI) that includesinformation associated with placing, conducting, and/or terminating aphone call. If the device 1135 is in a video call mode or a photographmode, the display 151 may additionally or alternatively displayinformation associated with these modes. The display 151 may beimplemented using known display technologies including, for example, aliquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystaldisplay (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), aflexible display and a three-dimensional (3-D) display. The device 1135may include one or more such displays. Some of the displays may beimplemented in a transparent or optical transmittive type that can becalled a transparent display. A transparent OLED (or TOLED) may be anexample of the transparent display. The display 151 may also beimplemented as the optical transmittive type. In this configuration, auser may see an object in rear of a terminal body via an area occupiedby the display 151 of the terminal body. It will be appreciated that atleast two displays 151 may be provided on the device 1135 based on theconfiguration of the device 1135. For example, a plurality of displaysmay be arranged on a single face of the device 1135 by being spacedapart from each other or by being built in one body. A plurality ofdisplays may be arranged on different faces of the device 1135.

In a case where the display 151 and the touch sensor 142 for detecting atouch action are configured in a mutual layer structure (hereinafter “atouch screen”), the display 151 may be used as an input device as wellas an output device. The touch sensor 142 may be configured as a touchfilm, a touch sheet, a touchpad and/or the like. The touch sensor 142may convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display 151or a variation of a capacitance generated from a specific portion of thedisplay 151 to an electric input signal. The touch sensor 142 may detecta pressure of a touch as well as a touched position or size. A separatepressure sensor may detect pressure of the touch. If a touch input isprovided to the touch sensor 142, signal(s) corresponding to the touchmay be transferred to a touch controller. The touch controller mayprocess the signal(s) and then transfer the processed signal(s) to thecontroller 180. The controller 180 may determine whether a prescribedportion of the display 151 is touched.

The proximity sensor 141 may also be provided to an internal area of thedevice 1135 enclosed by the touch screen and/or around the touch screen.The proximity sensor 141 may detect a presence or non-presence of anobject approaching a prescribed detecting surface or an object existingaround the proximity sensor 141 using an electromagnetic field strengthor infrared ray without mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 mayhave longer durability than a contact type sensor and may also have awider utility than the contact type sensor. The proximity sensor 141 mayinclude one of a transmittive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflectivephotoelectric sensor, a minor reflective photoelectric sensor, a radiofrequency oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacityproximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximitysensor and the like. If the touch screen includes the electrostaticcapacity proximity sensor, the proximity of a pointer may be detectedusing a variation of electric field according to proximity of thepointer. The touch screen (i.e., touch sensor) may be classified as theproximity sensor 141. In the following description, an action in which apointer approaches without contacting the touch screen may be called aproximity touch. An action in which a pointer actually touches the touchscreen may be called a contact touch. The meaning of the position on thetouch screen proximity-touched by the pointer may define a position ofthe pointer that vertically opposes the touch screen when the pointerperforms the proximity touch. The proximity sensor 141 may detect aproximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touchdistance, a proximity touch duration, a proximity touch position, aproximity touch shift state, etc.). Information corresponding to thedetected proximity touch action and the detected proximity touch patternmay be outputted to the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may function in various modes including acall-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode, a voicerecognition mode, a broadcast reception mode and/or the like to outputaudio data that is received from the wireless communication unit 110 oris stored in the memory 160. During operation, the audio output module152 may output an audio signal relating to a particular function (e.g.,a call received, a message received, etc.). The audio output module 152may be implemented using one or more speakers, buzzers, other audioproducing devices, and/or combinations thereof.

The alarm 153 may output a signal for announcing an occurrence of aparticular event associated with the device 1135. Events may include acall received event, a message received event and a touch input receivedevent. The alarm 153 may output a signal for announcing the eventoccurrence by way of vibration as well as video or audio signal. Thevideo or audio signal may be outputted via the display 151 or the audiooutput unit 152. The display 151 or the audio output module 152 may beregarded as a part of the alarm 153.

The haptic module 154 may generate various tactile effects that can besensed by a user. Vibration may be a representative one of the tactileeffects generated by the haptic module 154. Strength and pattern of thevibration generated by the haptic module 154 may be controllable. Forexample, different vibrations may be outputted by being combined (orsynthesized) together or may be outputted in sequence. The haptic module154 may generate various tactile effects as well as vibrations. Forexample, the haptic module 154 may generate an effect attributed to thearrangement of pins vertically moving against a contact skin surface, aneffect attributed to injection/suction power of air through aninjection/suction hole, an effect attributed to a skim over a skinsurface, an effect attributed to a contact with an electrode, an effectattributed to an electrostatic force, an effect attributed torepresentation of warm/cold sense using an endothermic or exothermicdevice and/or the like. The haptic module 154 may enable a user to sensea tactile effect through a muscle sense of a finger, an arm or the likeas well as to transfer the tactile effect through a direct contact. Atleast two haptic modules 154 may be provided on the device 1135 based ona corresponding configuration type of the device 1135.

The memory 160 may store programs for operating the controller 180. Thememory 160 may temporarily store input/output data such as phonebookdata, message data, still image, and/or moving image. Data for variouspatterns of vibration and/or sound outputted in case of a touch input tothe touch screen may be stored in the memory 160. The memory 160 may beimplemented using any type or combination of suitable volatile andnon-volatile memories or storage devices including a hard disk, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), anelectrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), anerasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-onlymemory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flashmemory, a magnetic or optical disk, a multimedia card micro type memory,a card-type memory (e.g., SD memory, XD memory, etc.) and/or othersimilar memory or data storage device.

The interface unit 170 may couple the device 1135 with external devices.The interface unit 170 may receive data from the external devices or maybe supplied with power and then transfer the data or power to respectiveelements of the device 1135 or enable data within the device 1135 to betransferred to the external devices. For example, when the device 1135is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit 170 may become apassage for supplying the device 1135 with power from the cradle or apassage for delivering various command signals inputted from the cradleby a user to the device 1135. The interface unit 170 may also beconfigured using a wired/wireless headset port, an external chargerport, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port forcoupling to a device having an identity module, audio input/outputports, video input/output ports, an earphone port and/or the like. Theidentity module may be a chip for storing various kinds of informationfor authenticating a use authority of the device 1135 and may include aUser Identify Module (UIM), a Subscriber Identify Module (SIM), aUniversal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and/or the like. A devicehaving an identity module (hereinafter “identity device”) may bemanufactured as a smart card. The identity device may be connectable tothe device 1135 via a relevant port.

The controller 180 may control overall operations of the device 1135.For example, the controller 180 may perform control and processingassociated with voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. Thecontroller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 that providesmultimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be configured as partof the controller 180, or may be implemented as a separate component.The controller 180 may have a time counting function. The controller 180may also perform a pattern recognizing process for recognizing a writinginput or a picture drawing input carried out on the touch screen ascharacters or images, respectively.

It will be appreciated that the power supply unit 190 may provide apower required by various components of the device 1135. The power maybe internal power, external power, and/or a combination thereof.

It will also be appreciated that embodiments may be implemented in acomputer-readable medium using, for example, computer software,hardware, and/or some combination thereof. For hardware implementation,embodiments may be implemented using one or more applications ofspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs),digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed toperform functions described herein, and/or a selective combinationthereof. Embodiments may also be implemented by the controller 180. Forsoftware implementation, embodiments may be implemented with separatesoftware modules, such as procedures and functions, each of which mayperform one or more of the functions and operations described herein.The software codes may be implemented with a software applicationwritten in any suitable programming language and may be stored in thememory 160, and executed by a controller or a processor, such as thecontroller 180.

Referring to FIG. 3A, there is illustrated a front view of a device 1135according to an example embodiment. It will be appreciated that otherembodiments, arrangements and configurations may also be provided. Thedevice 1135 may have a bar type terminal body. Embodiments of the device1135 may be implemented in a variety of other configurations. Examplesof such configurations may include a folder-type, a slide-type, abar-type, a rotational-type, a swing-type and/or combinations thereof.The body may include a case (e.g., a casing, a housing, a cover) thatform an exterior of the device. The case may be divided into a frontcase 101 and a rear case 102. The various electric/electronic parts maybe provided in a space between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.The display 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the userinput unit 130 (including first and second manipulation units 131, 132),the microphone 122, the interface unit 170 and the like may be providedon the device body. The display 151 may occupy most of a main face ofthe front case 101. The audio output module 152 and the camera 121 maybe provided at an area adjacent to one end portion of the display 151,while the first manipulation unit 131 and the microphone 122 may beprovided at another area adjacent to the other end portion of thedisplay 151. The second manipulation unit 132 and the interface unit 170may be provided on lateral sides of the front and rear cases 101 and102.

The user input unit 130 may receive a command for controlling anoperation of the device 1135. The user input unit 130 may include thefirst and second manipulating units 131 and 132. The first and secondmanipulating units 131 and 132 may be called a manipulating portion andmay adopt any mechanism of a tactile manner that enables a user toperform a manipulation action. Content inputted by the firstmanipulating unit 131 or the second manipulating unit 132 may bediversely set. For example, a command such as a start, an end, a scrolland/or the like may be inputted to the first manipulating unit 131. Acommand for a volume adjustment of sound outputted from the audio outputunit 152, a command for a switching to a touch recognizing mode of thedisplay 151 and/or the like may be inputted to the second manipulatingunit 132.

Referring to FIG. 3B, there is illustrated a view of a backside of thedevice shown in FIG. 3A. It will be appreciated that other embodiments,arrangements and configurations may also be provided. A camera 121′ maybe additionally provided on a backside of the device body, and moreparticularly on the rear case 102. The camera 121′ may have aphotographing direction that is substantially opposite to aphotographing direction of the camera 121 and may have pixels differingfrom pixels of the camera 121. For example, the camera 121 may have alower number of pixels to capture and transmit a picture of a user facefor a video call, while the camera 121′may have a greater number ofpixels for capturing a general subject for photography withouttransmitting the captured subject. Each of the cameras 121 and 121′ maybe provided on the device body to be rotated and/or popped up. A flash123 and a minor 124 may be additionally provided adjacent to the camera121′. The flash 123 may project light toward a subject in case ofphotographing the subject using the camera 121′. If a user attempts totake a picture of the user (i.e., self-photography) using the camera121′, the mirror 124 may enable the user to view a user face reflectedby the minor 124. An additional audio output unit 152′ may be providedon a backside of the device body. The additional audio output unit 152′may implement a stereo function together with the audio output unit 152and may be used for implementation of a speakerphone mode in talkingover the device 1135. A broadcast signal receiving antenna (not shown)may be additionally provided at the lateral side of the device body aswell as an antenna for communication or the like. The antenna may beconsidered as a portion of the broadcast receiving module 111 and/or maybe retractably provided on the device body. The power supply unit 190for supplying a power to the device 1135 may be provided with respect tothe device body. The power supply unit 190 may be built within thedevice body. Alternatively, the power supply unit 190 may be detachablyconnected to the device body. The figure also illustrates a touchpad 135for detecting a touch that is additionally provided on the rear case102. The touchpad 135 may be configured as a light transmittive type. Ifthe display 151 outputs visual information from both faces, the display151 may also recognize visual information via the touchpad 135. Theinformation outputted from both of the faces may be controlled by thetouchpad 135.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a technique 400 for use indetermining a current location of a data storage system. For example,the data storage system may be one of a plurality of data storagesystems located in a data center. It will be appreciated that thetechnique may be suitable for use in determining the current position orlocation of the data storage system in the data center. The technique asdescribed herein comprises determining 410 a current location of amobile portable device in response to the device being positioned localto the data storage system. For example, the mobile portable device maybe positioned adjacent the data storage system such that the location ofthe device is substantially similar to the location of the data storagesystem. In one embodiment, the mobile portable device comprises aposition determining module for determining the current geographicallocation of the device. It will be appreciated from the foregoingfigures that the mobile portable device may be the device 1135.Moreover, the position determining module may be provided by theposition determining module 115 in the device 1135. For example, themodule may be a global positioning system (GPS) module with the capacityto determine the current longitude and latitude of the device. It mayalso have the capacity to determine the current altitude of the device.The technique comprises associating 420 the determined current locationof the device with the data storage system local thereto. For example,the current latitude and longitude of the device positioned local to thedata storage system may be associated with the data storage system suchthat the current longitude and latitude of the device may be consideredas the current location of the data storage system. Furthermore, thetechnique comprises storing 430 the determined current location inconnection with the data storage system. For example, the technique maystore the determined longitude and latitude of the device in connectionwith the data storage system local thereto. The determined currentlocation in connection with the data storage system may be stored inpersistent memory in the device. For example, the location may be storedin memory 160 in the device 1135. The device may also transmit thecurrent location of the data storage system to the same data storagesystem to be stored in the data storage system and/or a managementsystem associated therewith. It will be appreciated that the device 1135may transmit the current location in connection with the data storagesystem using the wireless communication unit 110.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a technique 500 for use indetermining a current location of a data storage system. The technique500 is substantially similar to the technique 400 as described above. Itwill be appreciated that the technique 500 has similar steps and similarcomments as discussed with respect to the steps in technique 400 willalso apply herein. The technique comprises determining 510 a currentlocation of a mobile portable device in response to the device beingpositioned local to the data storage system. The technique comprisesreceiving 520 in the device an image in connection with at least aportion of the data storage system. For example, the device 1135comprising the camera 121 may capture and receive the image inconnection with at least a portion of the data storage system. In oneembodiment, the image may comprise an optical code, such as a bar code,for facilitating identification of the data storage system. Thetechnique comprises comparing 530 the image, for example, the bar codewith stored identification information regarding the data storage systemin order to ascertain the identity of the data storage system. It willbe appreciated that the bar code may uniquely correspond to the datastorage system for facilitating identification of the data storagesystem. The technique comprises identifying 540 the data storage systemlocal the mobile portable device in response to the comparison of theimage with the stored identification information regarding the datastorage system. The technique comprises associating 550 the location ofthe device with the data storage system in response to identifying thedata storage system local the mobile portable device. The techniquecomprises storing 560 the determined current location in connection withthe data storage system.

The techniques as described above may be used in determining a currentlocation of a data storage system. In one embodiment, the device 1135comprising the position determining module 115 may be positioned localto a data storage system. The module may determine the location of thedevice 1135 in response to the device being positioned local to the datastorage system. For example, the module may determine the location ofthe device periodically. Additionally, or alternatively, the module maybe configured to selectively determine the location of the device inresponse to an input from a user of the device. For example, the modulemay determine the location of the device in response to an input by theuser through the user input unit 130 of the device 1135. It will beappreciated that the user may input the necessary input when the deviceis positioned local to the data storage system. Additionally, the device1135 comprising the camera 121 may capture and receive an image inconnection with at least a portion of the data storage system. The imagecomprises an optical code corresponding to a name or otheridentification in connection with the data storage system. For example,the memory 160 in the device 1135 may store code identificationinformation relating to the data storage system and/or data centerequipment in general, and the controller 180 may obtain/identify thename or other identification of the system in the image obtained fromthe camera 121 by processing the optical code and comparing to the codeidentification information in the memory 160. If the controller 180determines that the memory 160 does not have code identificationinformation for the system (i.e., the information does not exist in thememory 160), the controller 180 may activate a module within thewireless communication unit 110 to obtain the name or otheridentification from an external server such as an Internet server. Theinformation may be obtained through a wireless connection. Moreover, thecontroller 180 of the device 1135 may associate the location of thedevice 1135 determined by the module 115, as described above, with thedata storage system local thereto in response to identifying the datastorage system. Furthermore, the device may store the current locationin connection with the data storage system in the memory 160 of thedevice. The device may also transmit the location in connection with thedata storage system to the same data storage system using the wirelesscommunication unit 110.

If required, further information in connection with the system may alsobe obtained by using the name or identification. Such information may bepreviously stored in the memory 160 and/or may be downloaded through theInternet by activating a module within the wireless communication unit110 and/or by using the obtained name or identification. For example,the further information can include retail information in relation tothe data storage system and/or performance characteristics in connectionwith the data storage system.

The advantages of the above techniques are many. It will be appreciatedthat data centers may comprise a plurality of data storage systems. Forexample, it is not uncommon for a data center to be the size of afootball field. In such a case, the number of data storage systems inthe center may run to hundreds or thousands. One of the advantages ofthe above techniques is that an accurate location of the system can beprovided. If, for example, a user or system administrator needed toreplace or service components in one or more data storage systems it maybe possible for such a person to save considerable time by being able toaccess accurate location information in connection with the data storagesystems. For example, if there was a plurality of data storage systemsto be serviced the user or system administrator may be able to map outthe most efficient route for servicing the systems. A further advantageis that the techniques alleviate the need for manually recording thelocations of the data storage systems. This may also save considerabletime and effort.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an image 600-1 received by thecamera of the device as discussed above. The image 600-1 is displayed onthe display 151 and/or the touchpad 135 of the device 1135. The imagemay be considered as a captured image of the optical code 1125 inconnection with the data storage system. The controller 180 may use codeinformation of data storage systems and/or various data center equipmentthat are stored in the memory 160 to obtain a name or otheridentification of the data storage system based on the optical code1125.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a further example of an image600-2 received by the camera of the device as discussed above. Thefigure illustrates an image 600-2 displayed on the display 151 and/orthe touchpad 135 of the device 1135. The image may be considered acaptured image of a bar code 602F of a component 604F of a data storagesystem, wherein components (e.g., disks) 604A-604O have respective barcodes 602A-602O. The controller 180 may use code information on variouscomponents and/or data center equipment that are stored in the memory160 to obtain a product name or other identification of the component604F and the data storage system based on the code 602F.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with preferredembodiments shown and described in detail, their modifications andimprovements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present inventionshould be limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for use in determining a currentlocation of a data storage system, the method comprising: determining acurrent location of a mobile portable device in response to the devicebeing positioned local to the data storage system, wherein the mobileportable device comprises a position determining module for determiningthe current location of the device; receiving in the mobile portabledevice an image in connection with at least a portion of the datastorage system; comparing the image with stored identificationinformation relating to the data storage system in response to receivingthe image in the mobile portable device; identifying the data storagesystem in response to comparing the image with stored identificationinformation relating to the data storage system; associating thedetermined current location of the device with the identified datastorage system; and storing the determined current location inconnection with the identified data storage system.
 2. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the position determining module candetermine the current longitude and latitude of the device such that thecurrent location of the device can be readily established.
 3. The methodas claimed in claim 2, wherein the position determining module candetermine the current altitude of the device such that the currentlocation of the device can be readily established.
 4. The method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the current location of the mobile portabledevice is determined by the position determining module in the device inresponse to the device being positioned adjacent the data storage systemsuch that the location of the device is substantially similar to thedata storage system.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thedetermined current location in connection with the data storage systemis stored in memory in the mobile portable device.
 6. The method asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the determinedcurrent location in connection with the data storage system to the samedata storage system; and storing the location of the data storage systemin the same data storage system.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6,wherein the determined current location in connection with the datastorage system is stored in persistent memory in the same data storagesystem.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image comprisesan optical code for facilitating identification of the data storagesystem.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the optical codecomprises a bar code for facilitating identification of the data storagesystem.
 10. A system for use in determining a current location of a datastorage system, the system comprising: first logic determining a currentlocation of a mobile portable device in response to the device beingpositioned local to the data storage system, wherein the mobile portabledevice comprises a position determining module for determining thecurrent location of the device; second logic receiving in the mobileportable device an image in connection with at least a portion of thedata storage system; third logic comparing the image with storedidentification information relating to the data storage system inresponse to receiving the image in the mobile portable device; fourthlogic identifying the data storage system in response to comparing theimage with stored identification information relating to the datastorage system; fifth logic associating the determined current locationof the device with the identified data storage system; and sixth logicstoring the determined current location in connection with theidentified data storage system.
 11. The system as claimed in claim 10,wherein the position determining module can determine the currentlongitude and latitude of the device such that the current location ofthe device can be readily established.
 12. The system as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the position determining module can determine thecurrent altitude of the device such that the current location of thedevice can be readily established.
 13. The system as claimed in claim10, wherein the current location of the mobile portable device isdetermined by the position determining module in the device in responseto the device being positioned adjacent the data storage system suchthat the location of the device is substantially similar to the datastorage system.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein thedetermined current location in connection with the data storage systemis stored in memory in the mobile portable device.
 15. The system asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising: seventh logic transmitting thedetermined current location in connection with the data storage systemto the same data storage system; and eighth logic storing the locationof the data storage system in the same data storage system.
 16. Thesystem as claimed in claim 15, wherein the determined current locationin connection with the data storage system is stored in persistentmemory in the same data storage system.
 17. The system as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the image comprises an optical code for facilitatingidentification of the data storage system.
 18. The system as claimed inclaim 17, wherein the optical code comprises a bar code for facilitatingidentification of the data storage system.